Steering column transmission shifting assembly

Abstract

A steering column assembly includes a shift socket which is concentrically mounted on the steering column shaft, and includes a helical slot. A follower on a pivotable shift lever cooperates with the helical slot to pivot the shift lever as the shift socket is rotated. Accordingly, rotation of the shift socket causes movement of the shift lever, which translates the transmission shift cable for shifting the transmission. A single lock paw simultaneously locks both the shift socket and the steering column shaft from rotational movement.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A steering column shifter assembly for a vehicle having a transmission and a steering column assembly including a steering column shaft, the shifter assembly comprising: a shift socket adapted to be mounted concentrically with respect to the steering column shaft, and having a helical slot formed therein;   a shift lever operatively connected to said shift socket for rotating said shift socket between a park position and at least one drive position;   a transmission selector arm having first and second portions, and pivotally mounted at said first portion with respect to the steering column assembly;   a follower secured to said selector arm for cooperation with said helical slot; and   a transmission shift cable secured to said second portion of said selector arm;   whereby rotation of said shift socket moves said follower along said helical slot to cause said selector arm to pivot, thus moving said shift cable for shifting the transmission.   
     
     
       2. The steering column shifter assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a locking slot formed in said shift socket;   an ignition shaft mounted to the steering column assembly;   a lock member selectively actuated by said ignition member for cooperation with said locking slot to prevent rotation of said shift socket when said shift lever is in the park position.   
     
     
       3. The steering column shifter assembly of claim 2, further comprising a spring for biasing said lock member toward said shift socket. 
     
     
       4. The steering column shifter assembly of claim 2, further comprising an ignition switch engaged with said ignition shaft for actuation. 
     
     
       5. The steering column shifter assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a lock collar secured concentrically with respect to the steering column shaft within said shift socket, and having a plurality of lock slots formed therein for selective communication with said locking slot in said shift socket to receive said lock member to prevent rotation of the steering column shaft.   
     
     
       6. The steering column shifter assembly of claim 5, further comprising: a multi-function switch assembly secured to said steering column assembly.   
     
     
       7. The steering column shifter assembly of claim 1, wherein said follower comprises a roller pin. 
     
     
       8. A vehicle steering column assembly, comprising: a steering column shaft;   a shift socket at least partially circumscribing the steering column shaft, and having a helical slot formed therein, said shift socket being rotatable between a park position and a plurality of drive positions;   a shift lever operatively connected to said shift socket for rotating said shift socket between said park position and at least one drive position;   a tilt head rotatably supporting said steering column shaft;   a transmission selector arm having first and second portions and pivotally mounted at said first portion to said tilt head;   a follower secured to said selector arm for cooperation with said helical slot; and   a shift cable secured to said second portion of said selector arm;   whereby rotation of said shift socket moves said follower along said helical slot to cause said selector arm to pivot, thus moving said shift cable.   
     
     
       9. The steering column shifter assembly of claim 8 further comprising: a locking slot formed in said shift socket;   an ignition shaft mounted to the steering column assembly;   a lock member selectively actuated by said ignition member for cooperation with said locking slot to prevent rotation of said shift socket when said shift lever is in the park position.   
     
     
       10. The steering column shifter assembly of claim 9, further comprising a spring for biasing said lock member toward said shift socket. 
     
     
       11. The steering column shifter assembly of claim 10, further comprising an ignition switch engaged with said ignition shaft for actuation. 
     
     
       12. The steering column shifter assembly of claim 8, further comprising: a lock collar secured concentrically with respect to the steering column shaft within said shift socket, and having a plurality of lock slots formed therein for selective communication with said locking slot in said shift socket to receive said lock member to prevent rotation of the steering column shaft.   
     
     
       13. The steering column shifter assembly of claim 12, further comprising: a multi-function switch assembly secured to said steering column assembly.   
     
     
       14. The steering column shifter assembly of claim 8, wherein said follower comprises a roller pin. 
     
     
       15. A vehicle steering column assembly, comprising: a steering column shaft;   a shift socket mounted concentrically with respect to the steering column and shaft, and having a helical slot formed therein, said shift socket being rotatable between a park position and at least one drive position;   a tilt head rotatably supporting the steering column shaft;   a transmission selector arm having first and second portions and pivotally mounted at said first portion to said tilt head;   a follower secured to said selector arm for cooperation with said helical slot;   a shift cable secured to said second portion of said selector arm;   whereby rotation of said shift socket moves said follower along said helical slot to cause said selector arm to pivot, thus moving said shift cable; and   a lock member for selectively simultaneously preventing rotation of both said shift socket and said steering column shaft.